Top row left to right: Arc Pensions Law’s Kris Weber; People’s Partnership’s Jason Whyte; and Just Group’s Sir Nigel Wilson. Bottom row left to right Hymans Robertson’s Scott Finnie, Alec Day and Hannah English
This week’s movers include those at Isio, LCP, Hymans Robertson, People’s Partnership, WTW and IGG.
Isio appoints partner and head of pensions administration
2 April
Isio has appointed Kevin Howard as partner and head of administration.
Howard has over 30 years' experience in regulated financial services, operations and transformation and joins the firm from WTW where held several roles including managing director and head of outsourcing GB.
Prior to this he held senior roles at First Central and Allianz.
Commenting on his appointment, Isio chief executive Andrew Coles said: "We see a significant opportunity to grow our pensions administration business as demand increases for high-quality, member focused and technology-enabled services. Kevin brings deep operational expertise, a strong track record of scaling complex businesses and extensive experience leading transformation programmes.
"His appointment is an important step as we continue to invest in our administration offering and build the capability and capacity to support our clients' evolving needs."
Howard added: "Isio has established a strong reputation for client service and technical expertise, and there is a clear opportunity to build further scale in its pensions administration business.
"Pension schemes are increasingly looking for partners who can deliver high-quality service, superb member outcomes alongside operational efficiency and innovation. I'm excited to join Isio at this stage of its growth and to work with the team to strengthen and expand the administration offering."
By Holly Roach
LCP appoints PRT partner
2 April
LCP has promoted Ruth Ward to partner in its pension risk transfer (PRT) team.
Ward joined the consultancy in 2023 as a principal, advising trustees and corporate sponsors of UK defined benefit schemes on their PRT strategies.
She has also previously held roles at Mercer, JLT and Capita.
In a post on LinkedIn, Ward said: "It's an exciting time for the market – with intense competition, expanding choice, innovation (including new ‘value-share' options) and a welcome focus on member experience – and I look forward to continuing to support my clients to achieve the best possible outcomes for their schemes for a variety of potential endgames."
By Holly Roach
Senior promotions at Hymans Robertson
1 April
Hymans Robertson has promoted Alec Day and Scott Finnie to equity member and promoted 11 to partner.
Day joined the consultancy in 2014 and currently is head of actuarial private where he looks after the delivery of actuarial services to private sector pension clients and serves as actuary to several schemes.
Finnie joined in 2013 and is currently a partner and head of digital strategy for third-party administration (TPA) where he leads the firm's TPA technology and processes to support schemes.
The firm has also promoted Iain Campbell, Lisa Deas, Kate Dickson, Hannah English, Greer Flanagan, Graham Jones, George Leach, Shani McKenzie, Aisling McMullan, Steve Moore and Jon Russell to the role of partner.
Hymans Robertson senior partner Jon Hatchett said: "These appointments are a great opportunity to celebrate the special people that make up our firm. Congratulations to all our new equity members and partners.
"We pride ourselves on working hard to let diversity flourish here and this can be seen in the variety of the career paths of our new appointments. This gives me real confidence in the direction of our firm. They reflect the depth of talent, perspectives and experience that strengthen our partnership."
By Martin Richmond
Just Group appoints new board of directors
1 April
Just Group has appointed a new board of directors following the completion of its sale to Brookfield.
The insurer, which confirmed today (1 April) that it would relocate employees to a new office in Canary Wharf following the sale's completion, said group chair John Hastings-Bass had stepped down as group chair, after taking on the role in 2020.
He will be succeeded by Sir Nigel Wilson, who served as group chief executive (CEO) at L&G from 2012 to 2023 and latterly became chair of the Canary Wharf Group in 2024.
In addition to Hastings-Bass, Just said Jim Brown, Michelle Cracknell, Mary Kerrigan, Mary Phibbs, Mark Godson, and Matt Sake would also step down from the board. It added that Arshil Jamal, Frank Oldham, Jennifer Gillespie, Jon Bayer, and Shashank Bhalla have all been appointed to the board.
Just group CEO David Richardson said: "On behalf of Just Group, I would like to take this opportunity to thank John for his exceptional leadership, counsel and stewardship. His experience has been invaluable in shaping our strategy and navigating the company to where it is today.
"It has been a privilege to work alongside him, and his contribution leaves the company well-positioned for the future."
Hastings-Bass added: "It has been a privilege to serve as chair of Just Group and to help guide the business for more than five years, with the support of our wider non-executive team. The acquisition of Just Group by Brookfield Wealth Solutions reflects the strength of business we have built and the long-term value of our strategy."
By Isabel Baxter and Martin Richmond
People's Partnership appoints strategic director
1 April
People's Partnership has appointed Jason Whyte as strategic director.
Whyte has over 30 years' experience in financial services with wide experience as a consultant to the life and pensions sectors in the UK and overseas.
He joins the organisation from PA Consulting where he was head of life and pensions. He also previously helped design the original service model for Nest and helped build a life and pensions platform for L&G.
In the new role, Whyte will be responsible for developing People's Partnership's long-term strategy as it continues its growth as the provider of the £40bn master trust, People's Pension.
People's Partnership chief executive Patrick Heath-Lay said: "Jason has extensive experience and deep expertise in pension strategy, and his appointment is excellent news for People's Pension and its seven million members.
"Jason joins us at a time of significant growth for People's Pension and substantial change across the pensions industry. I look forward to working closely with him as we continue to shape our strategy and make a positive, long-term impact across the UK pension industry."
Whyte added: "I'm delighted to be joining People's Partnership at this critical and exciting period for the industry. Pensions play a vital role in the financial well-being of the nation as a whole, and as people are asked to engage more in their own retirement, there has never been a greater need for a provider that does the right thing and is on the members' side for the long term.
"I hope that by adding my experience to the team we are building, we can accelerate our strategy and set the new gold standard for UK pensions."
By Holly Roach
WTW appoints head of outsourcing GB
31 March
WTW has appointed Gareth Strange as head of outsourcing Great Britain, replacing Kevin Howard in the role.
Strange will have responsibility for the firm's pensions administration business, as well as developing new offerings and supporting strong outcomes for pension schemes and their members.
He has worked at WTW for nearly 25 years in various roles including managing director, lead relationship manager, corporate consultant, and he helped create the firm's defined benefit (DB) pension management offering, OneDB.
WTW global head of benefits delivery and outsourcing Jane Murray said: "With deep expertise in GB pensions, decades of experience across retirement and outsourcing, and sharp market insight, Gareth will help shape new offerings and unlock opportunities for exceptional client and member outcomes.
"Gareth's digital approach is inspiring – and essential – in our era of technology-led solutions and artificial intelligence innovations. As a people leader, he connects colleagues and teams, with a strong track record in colleague development and engagement."
By Holly Roach
Arc Pensions Law promotes partner
30 March
Arc Pensions Law has promoted Kris Weber to partner.
Weber joined the firm as legal director in 2021. He has more than 30 years' experience in pensions law and has held several roles advising trustees and sponsoring employers.
In his new role, he will focus on the employer aspect where he will assist defined benefit scheme sponsors on a regular basis. He will also provide legal advice in relation to merger and acquisition projects and other forms of corporate activities.
Weber sits on the Society of Pension Professionals' covenant committee and on the Practical Law Pensions editorial board.
Arc Pensions Law managing partner Anna Copestake said: "We are very pleased to welcome Kris to the partnership. His insight and expertise has proven invaluable over the past five years, and his promotion reflects both his significant contribution to the firm and our ongoing commitment to the development and progression of our people."
Weber added: "I am delighted to be joining the partnership at Arc. The firm has a brilliant reputation for delivering high-quality, specialist advice and I am grateful for the support of colleagues and clients since joining in 2021. I look forward to contributing further to the firm's continued growth and success."
By Martin Richmond
IGG makes 22 promotions
30 March
Independent Governance Group (IGG) has made 22 promotions across the business in a move it said reflects its continued growth and investment in its people.
Chris Alford, Luke Tutt and Maria Keen have been promoted to trustee director roles, Chris Tabersham becomes an associate director, and Annette Balcombe, Carolyn Ealand, Mariarosa Rossi and Richard Haslam move into trustee manager roles.
Also, Abigail Finegan, Elizabeth Mealing, Ellis Kewley, Harry Birch, Philippa Wilson and Rachel Rigg have been promoted to senior associate roles and Craig Barth becomes manager of funding and investment.
Other promotions include Som Ali who becomes CRM manager, and Rebecca Wheeler, Megan Russell and Burcu Ciftci who become executive assistants.
Additionally, communications and engagement agency like minds, which is part of the IGG group, has promoted Allan McCabe to senior consultant, and Lindsay Kerr and Sophie Liegho as associate consultants.
Commenting on the raft of promotions, IGG chief commercial officer Grant Suckling said: "IGG's success – and our ability to support our clients – is built on the strength and expertise of our people. These promotions reflect the fundamental role they play in helping our clients through an increasingly complex pensions landscape.
"As schemes navigate funding improvements, plans to run-on, run-off or buy-in, and heightened governance expectations, the need for experienced, accountable trusteeship continues to grow. It's great to see so many colleagues developing their careers and stepping into broader roles as we continue to evolve as a business."
By Holly Roach
